Insurance Fraud Costs Us All
Ever wonder why you pay hundreds of dollars each year for automobile insurance when you've never had an accident, never had your vehicle stolen and never submitted a claim? One reason is an explosion in insurance fraud across the country. Of course, automobile insurance is complicated by various regulations that differ state-by-state, but there is no doubt that criminal activity is a big reason that insurance costs are high even for those of us with a good history in terms of accidents and claims. Some states instituted so-called "No-Fault" regulations in a effort to stem the rising tide of fraud and rampant litigation (which is also costly), but recent history indicates that no-fault is largely a bust when it comes to keeping costs down.

Insurance Resources
The III is non-profit group that provides insurance information, analysis, and referrals. It has an extensive library and database covering most kinds of personal and business insurance, and its Web site includes a variety of tips and hints for keeping insurance costs down. You also can get questions answered through its toll-free consumer helpline (800-331-9146).

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